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Protest Salvation Army Anti-Gay Hate

Author

Chicago Anti-Bashing Network

Date Created

16 Nov 2001

Date Edited

16 Nov 2001 02:26:42 AM

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Don't Give to the Kettle of Hate -- This week the Salvation Army rescinded domestic partnership benefits for Lesbians, Gays and other unmarried couples, citing its "religious" beliefs in doing so. Activists plan an 11/23 protest against this and the Army's so-called "secret memo" to the Bush adminstration promoting employment discrimination.

Why Protest?
In July the Washington Post broke the news of an anti-gay deal proposed by the Salvation Army in a "secret memo" to the Bush administration. In exchange for supporting Bush's "faith based" initiative funneling tax monies to religious charities, the Salvation Army wanted Bush's help in gutting local anti-discrimination laws around the country.

The Salvation Army asked the Administration to get Congress to enact a provision exempting religious bigots from laws which protect Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgendered (LGBT) people in hiring.

Salvation Army Launches Anti-Gay Offensive
A few weeks ago, LGBT activists had hope that positive change was in the air when the Salvation Army's Western Region granted domestic partners benefits to unmarried partners of their employees, gay and non-gay. However, on Tuesday, national leaders of the Salvation Army slammed the door in gay people's faces, axing the Western Region's reform.

Chicago's Commissioner Lawrence Moretz led the national leadership's attack against Lesbians and Gays.

"We must stand united in the battle that will undoubtedly follow from those who would now challenge our biblical and tradition position" against benefits for Gay, Lesbian and other unmarried couples, blasted Moretz.

Just a few weeks previously, the Western Region's Col. Phillip Needham characterized the now-rescinded pro-gay policy as one that "reflects our concern for the health of our employees and those closest to them, and is made on the basis of strong ethical and moral reasoning that reflects the dramatic changes in family structure in recent years."

LGBT activists and our allies are not taking this sitting down. As the Salvation Army gets approximately half its funds from holiday kettle donations, we want to hit them in the wallet:

1) We urge everyone to CEASE donating to the Salvation Army, and instead give to charities which don't discriminate.* Instead of donations to the Army, we have prepared messages to put in their red kettles which explain why we are not giving this year.